Robert Sweetgall scheduled to speak in Little Falls and Pierz

The Live Better Live Longer (LBLL) – Move Team has enticed motivational speaker Robert Sweetgall to speak in locally. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, at two venues in Morrison County.

Sweetgall promotes walking, wellness and active living. He has appeared on radio and television and written 19 books on the subject of a healthy lifestyle, adding years to one’s life and life to one’s years.

Robert Sweetgall

In Sweetgall’s early years, he was an overweight child burdened with the nickname Butterball. Motivated by a family history of heart disease, he quit his job in 1980 to take his health message on the road.

“This is an opportunity for the community to get excited about LBLL,” said Kate Bjorge, executive director of the Healthy Communities Collaborative. “We all assume people want to live better and live longer. Sweetgall will help the community understand why they want this.”

Bjorge said her children’s generation is expected to not live as long as hers will. Obesity is on the rise because children are being programmed to have heart disease and diabetes.

“This is not what we want,” she said. “We need to get together and find out how to help each other.”

His message is simple: “Walk for the Health of It.” He will talk about how everyone’s two feet can be the heart’s and body’s best friend. He will also explain people don’t have to run marathons or participate in extreme fitness sports to be healthy.

Sweetgall’s five events are free to the public and all but one will be held at St. Francis Hall on the campus of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. The 3 p.m. event will be held at Horizon Health in Pierz.

At 7:30 a.m., targeting the business community, Sweetgall will be speaking on “Worksite Wellness on a Zero Budget.”

At 9:30 a.m., Sweetgall’s topic will is “How to Add Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years.”

The 3 p.m. talk at Horizon Health will be on “Motivation to Move,” focusing on walking, wellness, eating habits, stress and longevity.

At 6 p.m., Sweetgall will show his guests how to burn fat and flatten one’s stomach with “Nordic Walking.”

The last event of the day will be held at 7 p.m. Sweetgall’s topics will be “Motivation to Move” and “Diabetes and Heart Disease.”

During the midday, Sweetgall will be in two closed sessions with Unity Family Healthcare and the fourth and fifth grade students, talking about wellness.

The events have limited space, so reservations are recommended. Contact Kate Bjorge at (320) 631-5675 or e-mail her at [email protected]

The LBLL wellness kickoff is supported by the Healthy communities Collaborative of Morrison County. Sweetgall’s motivational visit to Morrison County is just prior to the Rock ‘N Run Friday, May 17, and the Ride for Unity, Saturday, May 18, both sponsored by LBLL.